Services

Darwen bridegroom soothes pre-wedding jitters with 5k run

WHEN a bridegroom wears running shoes on the morning of a wedding, that is usually a cause for concern.

But for Darwen teacher Josh Thomas, it was the perfect way to calm the pre-wedding jitters.

Josh, 29, who works with his new wife Emma, 27, at Avondale Primary School, warmed up for his wedding day by completing a 5k run with his vicar dad just 90 minutes before the service.

He was joined by best man Andrew Weavers, dad Keith and 18 other friends at the weekly Park Run in Leverhulme Park, Bolton.

And rather than being worried at his choice of morning activity, Mr Thomas said Emma was happy with his plan.

He did the run complete with a ‘Groom’ label on the back of his T-shirt.

He said: “This was my 21st run of the year as I have done it virtually every weekend. I just thought if I had been at home I would have panicked and worried. As it happened, it was a perfect day.

“I thought Emma would warn me off and say ‘don’t hurt yourself’, but she was quite happy for me to do it.”

His 58-year-old dad, who performed the service at Christ Church in Egerton, completed the run just behind his son and best man, who both finished in 25 minutes and three seconds.

Mr Thomas, a member of Darwen Running Group, said completing the run did not give him much time to get ready for the wedding. The 29-year-old said: “We left the run at 9.45am and I was on my way to the church by 11.15am.

“In that time I had to get back home, shower and change. It was a bit tight.”

Mr Thomas and his new wife, 27, of Devon Street, met during their teacher training and more than 100 guests attended the wedding service.

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